Family of Kenyan man Irvo Otieno who died in US police custody has received Ksh 1.2 billion as compensation. The 28 year old died in March 6 2023 after he was handcuffed and pinned to the floor by sheriff’s deputies and medical staff members.
A judge approved the out-of-court wrongful death settlement on Tuesday according to public records. Otieno's death earlier this year was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation.
Surveillance video released by a prosecutor showed Otieno being pinned to the floor by multiple security officers at a Virginia state mental health facility in the moments leading up to his death.
The video showed Otieno, bound by his hands and feet, being forcibly taken into a room and dragged into an upright seated position on the floor with his back against a chair.
All 10 defendants were indicted on second-degree murder charges, but charges against two of the hospital employees were later dropped.
Otieno’s family ssaid he had a long history of mental health problems and was struggling to breathe while he was being held down.
The settlement agreement says the state, county, and the sheriff have not admitted any liability and deny that their actions caused Otieno’s death, but have agreed to collectively pay the amount to Otieno's family.
